Pharmacy support staff education and training

UPDATE: APRIL 2025

We have made the decision to pause all pharmacy support staff (re)approval activity while we undertake a comprehensive review of our role and responsibilities as a regulator in relation to support staff education and training. 

Any new education provision designed to meet the principles of support staff requirements set by the GPhC can proceed without our formal approval until such time we agree on a future policy. 

We are also aware that the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is currently updating and reviewing the Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship standard. This work is being led by IfATE and is separate to our review. Once IfATE’s review is complete, if the apprenticeship standard meets the required criteria and is approved for funding, education providers can deliver the apprenticeship without our involvement in the approval process, until such time we agree on a future policy.

As a reminder, all provision must meet the principles of a safe and effective pharmacy teamset by the GPhC, and our inspection team will continue to check that individuals are appropriately trained and qualified for their roles.

All currently approved support staff provision remains valid until the dates shown on our website. This decision does not impact approved pharmacist or pharmacy technician programmes. 

Pharmacy support staff are key members of the pharmacy team, assisting the smooth running of pharmacies.

Pharmacy support staff have an important role in:

• the dispensing and supply of medicines or medical devices
• advising on the use of medicines and medical devices
• assisting pharmacy professionals to provide pharmacy services

Pharmacy support staff are also known as pharmacy assistants or dispensing assistants. They work under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy support staff aren’t registered with us, but we set the requirements for the education and training for the role.